Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are groups of landowners and other interested people who form partnerships to pool their knowledge, equipment, and other resources to conduct prescribed fires. It can be very difficult for private landowners to gain the hands-on training needed to safely and effectively use prescribed fire. PBAs can not only provide that training, but serve to build a community of engaged landowners who can connect with one another on other land management issues as well. 

What does one get/give by joining a PBA?

• Being a part of your local PBA is similar in concept to a barn-raising or a calf-branding: neighbors help neighbors implement burns by providing labor, equipment and skills. The PBA can help with burn planning and organization, and provide additional prescribed fire equipment and specialized expertise.

• Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) offer residents an opportunity to take back control by using a tool that has long served the land. The regular application of low-intensity, low-severity fire makes massively devastating wildfires far less likely to occur. Other PBAs throughout the state have demonstrated over several years of burning that utilizing prescribed fire on private lands can be a cost-effective, safe, and accessible tool for landowners to reduce wildfire hazard and meet a variety of ecological objectives.

• PBA members pool their resources and energy to conduct carefully planned burns under specified prescriptions to maintain productive forests and grasslands, enhance wildlife habitat, and ensure safer communities.